'I won’t miss you': McCarthy — 'at times indignant' — told 'lots of stories' during exit speech
Minutes after United States Representative Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was ousted as Speaker Tuesday, October 3, the GOP lawmaker held a "nearly hour-long newconference" announcing he would not vie for the speakership again — while reminiscing on his time as leader and occasionally throwing verbal jabs at the press, The Washington Post reports.
Per the report, he was "at times indignant and combative with the gathered press, at times appearing relieved," and even concluded his comments by saying, "Look, I enjoy you. I don't know if you'll cover me as much, but I'm sure I won't miss you."
Although "at times indignant and combative" with reporters, for the most part, McCathy's speech was "void of the usual jabs and outbursts of enthusiasm that often punctuate his frequent interactions with the Capitol Hill press corps. But then he cracked his first smile, with a jab midway through telling his life story about winning the lottery and how those $5,000 went much further back then 'before Biden economics,'" the Post notes.
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The ex-Speaker went on to include "lots of stories" in his remarks, according to the report, such as a tale "about his mom buying gas at Costco. He had complaints about Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.). He went after Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), again and again, for ousting him. He admitted to privately seeking out then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for advice, while publicly criticizing her. He compared Vladimir Putin to Hitler."
He asked the audience, "I made history, didn't I? But you want to know the end of the story? I got elected to the seat I couldn't get an internship for. I ended up being the 55th speaker of the House. One of the greatest honors."
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The Washington Post's full report is available at this link (subscription required).
